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Memorial Day weekend visitors to Marion Reservoir were greeted by an additional electronic sign meant to keep large vehicles off the dam.

The Corps of Engineers imposed a maximum six-ton limit for vehicles and vehicle combinations in November as a safety precaution for the bridge that spans the dam release gates.

“It’s just for the bridge,” lake manager Kevin McCoy said. “It’s 50 years old. It’s seeing its age. In no manner does the condition of the bridge affect the structural integrity of the dam. Marion Dam is still 100 percent operational, and we have no issues.”

Weight limit signs have been posted, and electronic message boards have been stationed at either end of the dam for travelers coming off US-56. and Pawnee and 210th Rds.

The bridge is not in danger of failure, McCoy said, but imposing the weight limit reduces the chance of problems cropping up.

A bigger challenge than massive self-contained recreational vehicles are drivers who could be unaware various combinations of trucks and trailers might exceed the weight limit, McCoy said.

“Your overall vehicle gross weight can easily exceed six tons,” McCoy said. “I encourage the public to know what their combined vehicle weight is so that they’re not going across that bridge in excess of the six-ton limit.”